Gearing Up

If you stand still long enough on any street corner in New Orleans and its surrounding environs, you will get buffed and polished by a city sanitation worker and his pressure-washing machine.

The copious amounts of construction, hotel developments and transportation improvements have all led up to the next few weeks. The eyes of the world are upon us and darn it we are going to look good. Not only will our fair city be bright and shiny, so will its citizens.

Game On

The first of January typically has many assessing their livelihood and how to better themselves. Resolving to cut out poor or unhealthy practices, remove stress, manage finances, spend quality time with loved ones or give to those less fortunate. Yet the most familiar pledge is to get fitter and lose weight. This resolution incites physical transformation of course, but it can also positively alter your mental state. When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you are better equipped handle all the daily anxieties of your life.

So whether you are gearing up for the big game or getting your game face on, there are a few places about town to make certain you stay looking cool while working up a sweat. Gone, and sadly so, are the Olivia Newton-John leg warmers and the Jane Fonda unitard, but the chic locations below offer fitness attire that could suffice for a cocktail at the Ritz.Life: Yoga + Boutique specializes in clothing and accessories for the active woman. Owners and sisters Florecita and Suzy Rivera and their staff know that most women are limited on time, so they have created an environment that deflects the chaos of life. The Rivera sisters are busy mothers and small business owners who happen to enjoy exercise. They wrote the book on time management and like most, are overscheduled with work, family and endless errands. Their clothing and accessories are designed to take you from a workout to a lunch meeting with the quick addition of a chic tunic or wrap. “The thing that I find most important when purchasing workout clothing is that it not only be functional, fun and fashionable, but can be interchanged and used to make several outfits,” stated Florecita. Along with their own brand of long tanks and tunics, Life Clothing, the boutique carries stylish yet practical brands such as OMgirl, Lululemon, Lucy, Stacia and NUX. Stacia’s soft and luxurious fabrics are made of bamboo and organic cotton. The line is complete with beautifully colored wraps, sweaters, cardigans and ponchos. For those women who prefer more supportive materials, NUX is a sensational line of tanks and leggings to keep “everything” in its place. Also unique to this peaceful boutique is that Life is a fully equipped yoga studio offering a range of classes to meet the needs of all attempting to find balance in 2013. It is simply OM-mazing.

Life: Yoga + Boutique

5422 Magazine Street

New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 267-0380
lifenola.com

Fini Boutique, located one block off of Harrison Avenue on General Diaz in Lakeview,
handles outrageously comfortable and smart workout wear. Fini carries TASC performance apparel that utilizes sustainable bamboo fibers to wick moisture, fight odor and block UV rays. TASC’s sustainable clothing is ideal for a run around City Park or as layering pieces under one of Fini’s great vegan leather jackets. Shop owners, Kendall Jenkins and Monique Bonnafons, work hard to make sure you look fantastic before, during and after your workout. Kendall, an avid runner, enjoys the fact that her job is to make women look and feel confident and beautiful. Not only do these ladies have a knack for finding quality clothing at the perfect price and exceptional customer service, Fini offers the full line of Stila Cosmetics and Fantasy Tan airbrush tanning. With a spectacular selection of flattering leggings, posh wraps, brightly hued denim and effortless dresses, Fini is a mini-makeover one-stop-shop. The boutique is always stocked full of current and on-trend styles and Monique and Kendall know how hectic women’s lives can be. Visit Fini in the New Year for a new you. They will cheerfully meet you at the door with a glass of champagne to help you to relax and unwind.